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Wild Coach, Players Sound Alarm After Nico Sturm's Head Injury Ends in Hospital
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- Wild Coach, Players Sound Alarm After Nico Sturm's Head Injury Ends in Hospital
The Minnesota Wild's 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday was overshadowed by another frightening head injury, this time involving forward Nico Sturm.
Two weeks after Wild defenseman Brok Faber suffered a fractured skull in the last game of the preseason, Sturm was struck near the right ear by an errant shot from teammate Jared Spurgeon during the first period and immediately dropped to the ice.
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Sturm was helped off and later taken by ambulance to a local hospital for precautionary evaluation.
Wild head coach John Hynes had no postgame update on Sturm's condition and said he wouldn't travel with Minnesota for Tuesday's game at Winnipeg after being taken to the hospital.
"The good news is he's getting checked out," Hynes said. "It's upper-body, but I don't have anything further on that, but you instantly go right back to [Faber]. I think everyone in the arena felt the same way."
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The moment was doubly scary for the Wild after Faber suffered a similar-looking injury during the preseason as a puck hit him on his left ear.
Goalie Jesper Wallstedt said the scene immediately brought back memories of that incident. Michael McCarron, who helped Sturm off the ice, had the same reaction.
"Very, very scary," Wallstedt said. "Obviously, we've seen what it could do. Obviously, we don't know what the situation is like, if it's the same or worse or not as bad."
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"All I thought of was Brock, honestly," McCarron said. "Holding his ear, same spot kind of. I felt horrible. It's scary. It's your teammate. You love him, and hopefully he's OK."
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (7) looks on during an NHL game.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Hynes acknowledged that Minnesota's medical staff ultimately took no chances after what happened with Faber, who remained in the game for a few more shifts after suffering his injury.
"I think anytime they get those it's precautionary and the smart thing to do, especially after what happened to Brock," Hynes said.
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Sturm will miss Tuesday's game against the Jets in Winnipeg, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
